15 days in Australia Itinerary

Lent iconic status as a result of its famous bridge and opera house, Sydney has a down-to-earth charm that enhances its spectacular setting and functional efficiency.

Sydney is known for nightlife, beaches, and parks. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: catch a live performance at Sydney Opera House, wander the streets of Darling Harbour, see the interesting displays at Australian National Maritime Museum, and explore the striking landscape at Mrs Macquarie's Chair.

To see ratings, where to stay, more things to do, and more tourist information, read our Sydney online attractions planner.

Chandigarh, India to Sydney is an approximately 20-hour combination of train and flight. You can also fly. The time zone difference moving from India Standard Time to Australian Eastern Standard Time is 4.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 22°C in August, and nighttime lows around 11°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 4th (Tue) early enough to travel to Melbourne.

The state of Victoria crown jewel, Melbourne boasts shaded streets, leafy residential neighborhoods, vibrant street life, and a picturesque city center.

Melbourne is known for museums, shopping, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: explore the world behind art at National Gallery of Victoria, get your game on at Viri VR, see the interesting displays at Melbourne Museum, and get to know the resident critters at Melbourne Zoo.

For maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Melbourne trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by flight from Sydney to Melbourne takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Traveling from Sydney in August, expect Melbourne to be a bit cooler, temps between 16°C and 6°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Fri) so you can travel to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Please note that visitors are no longer allowed to trek up Uluru.

Located right in the center of Australia, the national park boasts perhaps the country's most iconic natural symbol and a sacred place for the region's indigenous people--as well as Kata Tjuta, a collection of 36 red rocks forming an equally distinctive sight.

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Sat): hike along Kuniya Walk, explore the activities along Mutitjulu Waterhole, then don't miss a visit to Uluru, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Uluru Hiking Path. Keep things going the next day: explore the striking landscape at Kata Tjuta / Mount Olga, then take in the dramatic natural features at Walpa Gorge, and then take in the pleasant sights at Lungkata Walk.

To see traveler tips, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park trip planner.

You can fly from Melbourne to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Melbourne to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, you'll gain 0.5 hours due to the time zone difference. Traveling from Melbourne in August, expect nights in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to be about the same, around 6°C, while days are somewhat warmer, around 27°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 9th (Sun) early enough to travel to Cairns.

A neat, cosmopolitan city of shaded plazas and laid-back neighborhoods, Cairns serves as a popular base for exploration of the surrounding region and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as a center for watersport activities like surfing or waterskiing.

Start off your visit on the 10th (Mon): see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 11th (Tue): let the kids burn off some steam at Figtree Playground, then make a trip to Regency Jewellers Pty Ltd, then hike along Esplanade Boardwalk, and finally let the kids burn off some steam at Muddy's Playground.

To find photos, maps, and more tourist information, go to the Cairns road trip planner.

You can fly from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to Cairns in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. The time zone changes from Australian Central Standard Time (ACST) to Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), which is usually a 0.5 hour difference. Traveling from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in August, you will find days in Cairns are somewhat warmer (31°C), and nights are much hotter (20°C). Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Tue) to allow enough time to drive to Port Douglas.

A holiday in Port Douglas balances an activity-filled getaway with plenty of opportunities to relax, thanks to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and bustling beach life.

On the 12th (Wed), get a new perspective on things with Boat Tours & Water Sports. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 13th (Thu): look for gifts at With Sugar, get to know the resident critters at Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, and then take an exotic tour of a safari tour.

To see more things to do, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Port Douglas trip planner.

You can drive from Cairns to Port Douglas in 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle; or take a bus. In August, plan for daily highs up to 31°C, and evening lows to 19°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 14th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.